A Unique Cross Between Nostalgia and Quirkiness within SAKEROCK

People might knew some of these band members as an actor, and musician, which one of them is very well-known in Japan. But, little did they knew that before the fame they were a unique band called SAKEROCK

Credit : Natalie

SAKEROCK, a Japanese instrumental band was established in year 2000 where, 5 boys from Jiyunomori Gakuen decided to be a professional musicians. With some of the members are later became very well-known within the Japanese entertainment industry.

Kenta Hamano (Trombone/Scat) who is very well known as an actor in many films and drama, also in some tokusatsu, and Hoshino Gen (Guitar/Marimba) who is well, married to a Japanese sweetheart Aragaki Yui, and also a very well known musician, actor, writer, and radio persona.

Alongside with Kei Tanaka (Bass/Hawaiian Guitar), Daichi Ito (Drums/Percussions), and Takuji Nomura (Keyboard). These five boys came from a small town in Saitama and start their own journey as professional musician. The name SAKEROCK itself came from Martin Deny's song with the same title.

Credit : Tower Records

The band itself has released 16 records, which consist of 11 Studio albums, 3 EP's and 2 Singles, with the final record was Sayonara Album in 2015 marked their disbandment. The group is also featured in a film by Isshin Inudo, starring the members of the famous boygroup Arashi "Yellow Tears".

Credit : IMDB

Music-wise? I would say, this band serves up a somehow nostalgic but at the same time a unique feels to it. Some of their songs not necessarily Jazz/Funk, but Rock, Exotica, and a touch of Latin and Folk.

Let's take Honyarara, a song released from the same album in 2008. From the musical perspective, It's basically unique twist of exotica with a touch of rock and electro, and based from what i've seen in their music video who tells about the life of an American family. The conflict and the story in that video was pretty simple, a member of the family having a crush on a woman and the father disagrees, they had a conflict and it all ends peacefully.

Or, take MUDA, a song released in 2010, it's very different from any other songs I've heard from them, if you take out the trombone part, the song became a rock song. But, here's what's make MUDA so enjoyable is the harmony within the melodies. It's doesn't feel like it's a hardcore rock.

What's the most memorable track for me? Probably Sayonara. Taken from the same album in 2015. The genre itself reminds me a bit of MUDA, but the feels that the mood they try to convey within the song is more mellow rather than MUDA which is more uplifting. It's a perfect goodbye to a dear friend.

Every member try to say their goodbye to their beloved fans, who's with them from the start to the day the band disband but with a chance that they will be seeing each other again one day.

One song worth for notice is Ian Ryokō, which is an EP in 2004. It's a combination of tropical, exotica and a bit of jazz nuance to it. It's a perfect song for lazy casual days and i recommend you to listen to it

Every single song could take you on a journey or simply makes your life less tense with their unique music. It's an acquired taste, for some people. But it never makes you feel tired to listen to it.

This band also is a stepping stone for its members. Like, Gen who now is a very well known entertainer with many of hit songs like Koi, Pop Virus and the latest one is Fushigi. Hamano Kenta who became very known as an actor in many hit dramas such as Radiation House and Kakkenai, Daichi Ito with his own band Goodluck Heiwa

For someone who just starting listening to their song during the pandemic, the song have a nostalgic feels that i have been listen to this band since their starts, and with their debut on streaming services. Fans can only hope they will reunited again for one last show together.

You can enjoy the world of Sakerock here